I want to say thanks to all of the residents and community organizations that have over the last 28 years helped to beautify the 40th Ward by donating their time, energy and money in developing neighborhood gardens. Over the next several years, Metra will be upgrading their facilities. They have assured me that they will try to be as unintrusive as possible as they can be when they are in the areas that you helped beautify.

Below is a description of the scope of work that Metra is planning to do. If you have any other concerns once the project begins, please feel free to call our office at 773-769-1140.

Many Thanks,
Patrick J. O’Connor

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Project Details

Beginning in August, residents in the 40th Ward will see construction work on Metra’s Union Pacific North line (pdf). This is the beginning of Metra’s $185M Union Pacific North line bridge and retaining wall construction project.

Twenty-two bridges on the north side of Chicago on Metra’s Union Pacific North line will be completely replaced. Construction will improve clearance on surface streets and give cleaner views. This project is expected to take eight years.

The Balmoral bridge will be the first structure to be replaced. In order to begin construction, Balmoral Avenue under Metra’s Union Pacific North line tracks will be closed for six weeks. The street can then reopen to vehicular traffic but it will need to be closed again for a couple of days when the steel arrives for bridge replacement. The Balmoral Avenue bridge wing walls will extend 35 feet north and south on the west side of the bridge. Work on the east side of the bridge will begin 2012. A retaining wall is needed on the northeast side of Balmoral and will run 90 feet north. There is no need for a retaining wall on the southeast side of Balmoral.

Work will also begin in 2012 along the east side of Metra’s Union Pacific North line from Berwyn Avenue to Foster Avenue as a new retaining wall is erected.

It’s important to note that the Berwyn Avenue pedestrian tunnel will remain open during construction.

The second bridge to be replaced in the 40th Ward will be at Foster Avenue. On the northwest side of the Foster Avenue bridge, the replacement wing wall will extend 35 feet north. The east side of the bridge will be reinforced by the new retaining wall.

Residents in the 40th Ward who may use the Rogers Park and Ravenswood stations will notice a slight change in train schedules. Because of the large scope of the Union Pacific North line bridge and retaining wall construction project, train schedules have been adjusted. A new Ravenswood station will be built, but there will be no disruption of service during construction. The average trip times for Rogers Park and Ravenswood will either improve or be a maximum of two minutes longer.

The complete new proposed schedule is available on www.metrarail.com. Construction updates will be posted on Metrarail.com, but if you would like to be notified when there are updates, please log on to MyMetra and sign up, select the Union Pacific North line and check the box that says “email notifications of service alerts on my train routes.” And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @MetraUPN.

To provide a complete damage assessment to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), please fill out the posted form. Instructions are provided to make this as easy of a process as possible.

Forms and Instructions

• Flood Initial Damage Assessment Form
• Flood Initial Damage Assessment Form Instructions
• Disaster Declaration Process (IEMA)

Once downloaded please fill out the Damage Assessment Form and email it  to flood2010@cityofchicago.org. Residents can also call 311, and an operator will assist you with completing the form over the telephone. Completed forms can also or dropped off at your local Aldermanic Office if you don’t have access to email.

Residents who do not have access to a computer can visit anyone of the Chicago Public Libraries or Aldermanic Office download the forms.

As always, if residents have any questions, we encourage you to call 311.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s sweltering heat. Furthermore, the National Weather Service asserts that excessive heat was the number one weather-related killer, causing more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms and extreme cold from 1994 to 2003.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.  Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 105 degrees.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

The project will include removal of existing pavement and medians which will be replaced with irrigated, landscaped medians with decorative precast concrete.

Other work will include various corner upgrades, minor resurfacing and pavement marking installation.  Landscaping will include trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs.

The medians offer several benefits:

• Safety—medians separate lanes of oncoming traffic.
• Environmental—landscaped medians incorporate trees and other plantings that help reduce the urban heat island effect, keeping Chicago cooler.
• Storm water management—medians collect and store stormwater, reducing the amount that enters storm sewers.
• Aesthetics—median plantings contribute to the “greening” and beautification of Chicago.

Travel Impacts

Lincoln Avenue will see some lane reductions throughout the project between Devon Avenue to Catalpa Avenue.

• Northbound Lincoln: two travel lanes; no parking allowed
• Southbound Lincoln: one travel lane, one parking/travel lane

Maplewood, eastbound Mozart and Christiana will be restricted to right-in and right-out turn movements

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The Department of Family and Support Services works with other city departments to help residents through periods of severe weather.

• Coordinate  Cooling Centers across the city.
• Monitor availability of overnight shelter beds.
• Provide transportation to Cooling Centers and overnight shelters.
• Conduct well-being checks on those at risk.
• Expand outreach to homeless people on the street during times of extreme cold.
• Extreme Weather Alert!
• Register yourself, a relative or a friend today. Call 3 1 1 or visit a Community Service Center.

When is an Official Warning Issued?

• Forecast for 3 consecutive days with the Heat index at 100 – 105 degrees.
• Forecast for 2 consecutive days with the Heat index at 105 – 110 degrees.
• Forecast for a single day with the Heat index at 110 or higher.

Register for the Extreme Weather Notification System and you will be notified when dangerous hot or cold weather conditions exist. Participants receive a recorded phone message informing them of official warnings and available city services.

Cooling Centers

Cooling Centers offer residents air-conditioned refuge from oppressive summer heat. Agencies that volunteer their facilities as Cooling Centers, work to make visitors comfortable. While these centers are meant for short-term, daytime use, many are prepared to expand hours.

To Locate a  Cooling Center, Call 3 1 1

The Department of Family and Support Services coordinates the operation of Cooling Centers. Beginning with its own Human Services Centers, FSS Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Public Libraries to make public buildings available. In times of excessive need, the City enlists the help of community organizations that can open their facilities to the public for respite from the weather

Overnight Shelters

Chicago has approximately 100 overnight shelters that provide a bed and hot meal to those who are homeless. More than 5,000 beds are available at any given time. Requests for shelter can be made by calling 3-1-1.

Click here for a listing of Community Service Center Locations

The young people to be placed in these jobs will come from a waiting list provided to the City by the State of Illinois of applicants who are eligible under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The City will add $500,000 from its parking meter Human Infrastructure Fund to support the summer jobs program further.

“One of the most important things we do in city government to keep our young people safe is to provide them with positive alternatives to hanging out in the streets when they’re not in school,” Daley said in a news conference held at Erie Neighborhood House, 1701 W. Superior St., where some of the summer jobs are located.

This summer, the City and its sister agencies, joined by community organizations and faith-based groups are providing about 250,000 opportunities to Chicago’s young people in a wide range of areas, including education, sports and other activities.

This has included more than 15,000 full- and part-time employment opportunities in both the public and private sector for young people as part of the City’s “Youth Ready Chicago” program.

“Each opportunity gives young people a chance to gain marketable skills and makes it easier for them to make the transition from school into the workforce.

And in these tough economic times, a summer job for young people can help families make ends meet,” the Mayor said.

The 2,300 additional summer jobs is being administered by the City’s Department of Family and Support Services through a network of agency partners who will screen for eligibility and find age-appropriate jobs for the young people. Positions can include retail and clerical opportunities and many others.

The 2,300 jobs, which last for up to 10 weeks, begin throughout July. So far, about 420 young people have begun work under the program.

Daley said summer jobs are more than just a moneymaking opportunity for young people, they represent a critical investment in the future of the city.

Without the support of the federal government and the City’s private and non-profit partners, an entire generation of young people is at risk of being severely or even permanently disconnected from the labor market, he said. He thanked the State of Illinois for its role in making the federal money available to Chicago.

Daley again challenged the City’s business leaders to strengthen their efforts to provide jobs for young people, either by supporting City programs or by hiring young Chicagoans themselves.

The Mayor said summer employment programs build on the many other steps the City has taken recently to put young people on the right track and away from gangs in the first place and to better protect every student from violence at school and on the way to and from school.

These have included:

• Using $30 million in federal economic stimulus funds to reduce school violence and create “cultures of calm” in 38 high schools with high concentrations of students at-risk of being involved with violence.
• Deploying Police Department resources more strategically to troubled schools at dismissal times, and Using $1 million in proceeds from the City’s parking meter lease agreement to fund hundreds of jobs and other after school opportunities for young people.

“If  Chicago is to have a strong future, we cannot to tolerate the gang bangers and drug dealers who only want to terrorize our neighborhoods and kill our citizens,” Daley said.

We ask that all Seniors age 60 and better to call the Ward office at  773.769.1140 and reserve their place on the bus for this event.

When:

Mayor Daley is hosting his annual Senior Fest event at McCormick Place North on Wednesday, August 18, 2010.  I invite you to join us on the main stage as we celebrate Chicago’s seniors.

Approximately 8,000 seniors are expected to attend this one-day citywide event.  Activities are scheduled to be in full swing by 10:30 a.m., and we anticipate that the Mayor will join us sometime after 11:15 a.m.

Chicago residents age 60 and better come Inside and Enjoy the Fun !!!

• Raffle Prizes
• Bingo!
• Picnic Lunch
• Game Area
• Dance Pavilion
• Healthy Aging Pavilion
• Senior Artist Pavilion

For more information call the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, Senior Services Area Agency on Aging at 312.744.4016.

The 40th Ward has been given an opportunity for complimentary transportation of our seniors to this years Senior Fest on the 18th of August.  The providers of this service need a guaranteed minimum registration level of 25 participants (maximum – 40 participants) to provide this service for our Ward.

We ask that all Seniors age 60 and better to call the Ward office at  773.769.1140 and reserve their place on the bus for this event.

Police composite sketch

About This Crime
The Chicago Police Department is investigating an attempt Child Abduction that occurred on July 08, 2010, at approximately 8:20 a.m., on the 6300 block of North Ridge.

The victim was en route to school when she was approached by an unknown male driving a newer model royal blue pickup truck with shiny wheels. The male pulled up next to her and asked her if she needed a ride. He then followed her, honked at her and told her to get in his car. The victim ran to school and alerted security, the offender was reported to have continued northbound on Clark.

About The Offender

The offender is described as a Caucasian male, 30-35 years of age, bald, with a fair complexion, round face and muscular build. At one point, he wore a red cap.

What You Can Do

• Be aware of this situation and alert neighbors in the area about the crime.
• If possible, don’t walk alone and stay in well lit areas.
• Call 911 to report any suspicious person(s), vehicle(s) or activity in your neighborhood.
• Call 911 and provide a detailed description of the offender(s) including the vehicle description and license plate information.
• Call the CAPS Implementation Office at 312-747-9987 for more information on how to avoid being a victim of crime.

If you have any information about this incident, please call the Area Three Special Victims Unit 312-744-8200 024th District 312-744-5907
Reference RD# HS399929
Alert #630-10-017
July 10, 2010

When:

All residents in the 40th Ward can leave their unwanted electronic near the curb in front of their residence before 8am. Trucks will be sweeping the neighborhoods picking up equipment between 8am-12pm. or you can bring them to the Ward Yard at 5333 N Western until noon.

PC Rebuilders and Recyclers are happy to support Alderman O’Connor and Mayor Daley as we collect unwanted computer equipment and household electronics for no charge.  The following electronics will be accepted: TVs, DVD Players, VCR’s, PDA’s, MP3 Players, Video Equipment, & Mobile Phones. Our primary goal is to reuse as much of the equipment collected as possible. If an individual piece of equipment in not suitable for reuse, we will try to harvest parts for reuse or we will send the equipment off for material recovery. We have adopted the Responsible Recycling (R2) best management practices that are being promoted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as our standards for processing materials that we receive from collection events.

Accepted Items

• Computers
• Laptops
• Monitors
• Printers/Scanners
• Computer Peripherals
• Fax Machines
• TV’s
• VCR’s
• DVD Players
• MP3 Players
• Video Game
• Consoles
• Cell Phones
• Video Equipment

Items NOT Accepted

• Appliances (both small & large)
• Salon Equipment (hair dryers, etc.)
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Typewriters
• Auto StereoSystems
• Satellites
• Non-Computercables (coax, brick)
• Non-Cellular Phones

If you can’t do it on Saturday, drop offs are accepted at:

Where: 3053 N. Knox, Chicago, IL 60641
When: Mon-Fri. 8:30am-5:00pm
Telephone: 1.800.939.6000 or 773.545.7575